Latest news with #Hajjar
Boston Globe
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
‘A legacy of love': Longtime Lawrence volleyball coach Tony Hajjar remembered as inspiration to many
'Tony taught us how to play volleyball,' said Edgar Valdez, who played for Hajjar at Lawrence and now coaches at Chelmsford. 'The main thing he taught us was how to love volleyball. He brought the joy. He made volleyball a permanent part of our lives.' We have heavy hearts in Methuen, The Valley, and beyond today with the passing of long time Lawrence coach and referee Tony Hajjar. Make no mistake about it the volleyball world in the MVC and Massachusetts lost a Titan today. — Rangers Volleyball (@RangersVBall) In 2018, Valdez and current Lawrence coach Hector Sanchez were in their first years at the helm, and they met in the North sectional championship. It was a special moment for each, who said they would not have been coaches if not for Hajjar. Advertisement 'What I saw, the way that he was with all his athletes . . . That inspired me to be a coach,' Sanchez said. 'I wanted to be not even half of a person and a coach that he was. That's what I wanted to be. I knew I had big shoes to fill when I took over. Seeing him be happy I took over, it was a dream.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Two disciples of longtime Lawrence coach Tony Hajjar, Hector Sanchez (left) and Edgar Valdez (right) faced off in the 2019 North sectional with their mentor looking on. Courtesy Hajjar is from Côte D'Ivoire, and started working at George's Bakery in Lawrence when he moved as a kid. Around when he took over the high school program, he started the Nor'east Volleyball Club, now called the EliteZ Club and run by his son, TJ. 'He's self-made,' said Dan Young, Andover's girls' volleyball coach, who coached with Hajjar at the club and during the 2005 championship season. 'Tony is an American success story in a lot of ways, but it has all to do with who Tony was as a person. Good fortune continued to find Tony and his family and it's a direct relationship with how he treated people.' Advertisement Tony Hajjar impacted hundreds of Lawrence volleyball players during his 18 years as head coach. Courtesy Dan Young Young found over the past few days just how many people had a similar relationship with Hajjar. 'I can't say enough about his entire family,' Young said. 'When you get in with Tony, you get in with Tony 100 percent. It's immediate fatherly love. It's unconditional. He's there for you night and day.' Hajjar was known for keeping kids out of trouble, giving them something to do after school, and becoming a long-term part of their lives. 'He just gave us hope for a better life, not just what we saw in the city,' Sanchez said. 'That trust that he put into us to become better men. He wanted to create a family of volleyball players and students. A legacy of love. We can do better. He wanted us to be better. 'That's what he teaches us in the game and in life. Kids who come from a low income city, there's more for us.' Tony Hajjar was knock for making the game fun during his two-plus decades coaching volleyball at Lawrence High. Courtesy Dan Young AJ Traub can be reached at
MTV Lebanon
24-06-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
24 Jun 2025 18:38 PM Interior Minister broaches developmental affairs with lawmakers, itinerant visitors
Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Hajjar received respectively in his office at the ministry, MPs Tony Frangieh, Yanal Solh, Hassan Mrad, and Ghassan Hasbani. The discussion reportedly touched on the general situation and developmental issues. Minister Hajjar also met in his office with Tripoli Municipality Head, Abdel Halim Karima, with whom he discussed affairs of the northern city of Tripoli and its developmental and security needs. Additionally, Hajjar received the President of the Jounieh International Festival, Zeina Frem, with an accompanying delegation.
Nahar Net
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Hajjar says elections to continue in South even if Israeli attacks occur
Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar visited Sidon on Tuesday and hoped the municipal and mayoral elections in the South on Saturday will be an occasion for the state to 'restore its presence and stress its sovereignty in the South.' Asked about possible Israeli attacks during the electoral process, Hajjar said: 'I reiterate that the Lebanese state's decision is clear and that it is not possible to bargain on its sovereignty over the land of the sacred South and all southern villages.' 'Certainly a part of the South is still occupied and Israeli attacks and violations are continuing, but the Lebanese state and government, starting with the president, the PM and the interior minister, are carrying out the necessary contacts to halt the violations in general, but specifically during the elections period in the South and during the counting of votes and the issuance of results,' Hajjar added. Hoping contacts with the ceasefire monitoring committee will lead to 'a calm electoral day on Saturday,' the minister said: 'Anyhow, we are not awaiting guarantees, but we are determined to hold the elections and practice our sovereignty and presence in this dear part of our land.' Asked about the impact of any Israeli attack on the electoral process, the minister said: 'If any violation or attack happens, the decision is clear: continuing the electoral process and dealing with the situation on the ground.' 'Of course we have our vision for the distribution of polling stations, how to deal with the movement of voters and the deployment of security forces. Based on thism we hope the security plan will have a positive impact leading to a successful electoral day,' Hajjar went on to say.
Al Manar
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Over 45% Turnout in Mount Lebanon Municipal Elections, President Aoun Calls for Post-Vote Accountability
The municipal mayoral elections in Mount Lebanon concluded on Sunday with what officials described as a successful turnout, exceeding 45% of registered voters. Ballot counting continued late into the night following a long and competitive election day. Turnout rates varied among the six districts of the governorate. Keserwan topped the list with 60%, driven by fierce competition among political party-backed lists. In contrast, Metn registered the lowest turnout. Preliminary results showed sweeping victories for the 'Development and Loyalty' lists in the Baabda towns of Haret Hreik and Ghobeiry; in Joun, Jiyeh, and Wardaniyeh in Chouf; and in Bmekine in Aley. The same political group also secured wins in Ras Osta, Beshtlida, Hjoula, Mghayri, and Ain El Ghouaybeh in the Jbeil district. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Forces claimed victory in the city of Jbeil. Lists backed by the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) won in Hadat, Souk El Gharb, Kahale, and Wadi El Sitt, while Kataeb-supported lists prevailed in Beit El Dine and Beit Chabab. Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar held a press conference Monday morning, thanking all those who contributed to the election's success and praising the efforts of every employee involved. 'I oversaw the results in coordination with all stakeholders. We also developed a computerized system to audit the results before publishing them on the Interior Ministry's website,' Hajjar said. He announced a comprehensive review of the electoral week to address logistical issues and prevent their recurrence in future phases. 'The start of the new political era and the formation of a government have had a positive impact across the country,' the minister added. As part of the official follow-up, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the Interior Ministry's operations room on Sunday to monitor the vote-counting process after the Interior Minister announced the end of the first round of elections, with a turnout rate of 44.59%. Villages and towns in Keserwan and Metn witnessed high voter engagement, fueled by intense family and partisan rivalries. Jounieh emerged as the main electoral battleground. In Metn, results for 17 municipalities and 37 mayors were decided by acclamation. Baabda, the largest district in Mount Lebanon, saw a mix of acclamation and fierce competition. In Bourj Al-Barajneh, the municipal council was elected unopposed, while contests were limited to mayor seats. In Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik, electoral battles pitted Hezbollah- and Amal-backed lists along with the FPM against those supported by dissident MP Alain Aoun. During a tour of polling centers in Beirut's southern suburbs, Minister Hajjar emphasized the significance of holding democratic elections in areas previously targeted by Israeli attacks, despite existing challenges. In Jbeil, Chouf, and Aley, voter turnout was driven by sharp competition between established political alliances and influential family networks. Over 86,000 voters in Jbeil elected 40 municipal councils and 119 mayors in a calm yet fiercely contested race, while Chouf and Aley witnessed similar tensions between partisan and familial candidates across both municipal and mayoral elections. President Aoun to Winners: 'The Real Responsibility Begins Now' President Joseph Aoun congratulated the winners of the municipal and mukhtar elections, praising the successful completion of the first phase in Mount Lebanon, which took place in a democratic and transparent atmosphere. He commended citizens for their active participation, which reflected their commitment to municipal governance and its key role in driving local development. Speaking from Baabda Palace, Aoun affirmed that the elections mark a step forward on Lebanon's path to recovery despite ongoing challenges, applauding the Interior Ministry and security forces for ensuring a smooth and orderly process. He also thanked all contributors, including media outlets that covered the vote throughout the day. Aoun emphasized that the true responsibility begins after the elections, with the focus on serving citizens and meeting their needs. He stressed that, while competitive, the elections are an opportunity to strengthen national unity and expressed hope that the next phases will carry the same momentum and integrity.
LBCI
25-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Interior Minister schedules May 24 elections in South Lebanon and Nabatieh, adjusted for holiday
Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad Hajjar has signed a decision to call for municipal and elective council elections in the districts of South Lebanon and Nabatieh Governorates. The elections, scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025, will determine members of the municipal and elective councils. The date was adjusted from Sunday to Saturday due to the official holiday marking the Resistance and Liberation Day. Additionally, Hajjar signed a decision regarding the submission of candidacy declarations for the municipal and elective elections in both the South and Nabatieh governorates. The submission period will begin on Monday, May 28, 2025, and end at 24:00 on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The financial boxes at the governorate centers, district offices, judicial records offices, and civil registry offices will remain open during official working hours throughout the candidacy submission period until 24:00 on the last submission day.
